Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Monday in Abuja opened and closed his case at the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, calling only one witness.

At the resumed hearing, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), lead counsel to Mr Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), told the tribunal that the business of the day was for his client to open his case.

Mr Ikpeazu prayed the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal to allow him to call his only witness.

The witness, Usman Majek, told the tribunal that he was the APC polling unit agent during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

Under cross-examination, the witness agreed that there was overvoting in his polling unit.

He also affirmed that accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in his unit.

Mr Majek told the tribunal that he complained to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the result he entered on the result sheet after he signed it.

After Mr Majek’s testimony, Mr Ikpeazu applied to close the defence of his client.

The tribunal granted the application, especially as there was no objection from the other counsel.

The tribunal adjourned proceedings until February 12 for the APC to open its case.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had approached the tribunal, praying it to invalidate the outcome of the election.

The petitioners had sought the invalidation of the election on the grounds of alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.

They contended that Mr Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of votes in that election. 

(NAN)